Unlike last year, I was in Cinemalaya at the start of the screening at 12 45. This time I was not able to do that. I was out helping a good friend pick a pet. I thought that I could catch up with the first screening but the traffic was too much that I had t push through my schedule to the next screening.
I would so love to watch everything, but I can only pick one. If only I have Hermione's time twisting necklace thingy then I would be in lotsa places in one time. But that would freak people out. So I decided to see the first batch of short films in competition first.
Cinemalaya 2010 Short Film finalist "Faculty" by Jerrold Tarog
Boca
Directed by Zurich Chan
Short Film
"Boca" is a story about a chain smoker who had an oral fixation. The story's protagonist lost his mother when he was just 3 months old, and because of the lack of "motherly" love, at an early age he compensated that with smoking. We follow Charlemagne, or whatever the spelling of his name was, in his monotonous everyday life, until he finds what his lips was really looking for.
"Boca" for me was a well paced, and gorgeous to look at film. It was also really curious, interesting and at times somewhat comical. I was intrigued with it, as a matter of fact. But then, I though I was searching for something deeper with it, but all of everything that I was unearthing was already in the surface. I could not say that I was disappointed. At least I was tad entertained. Come to think of it, I sort of kinda enjoyed it. B
Breakfast With Lolo
Directed by Steven Flor
Short Film
"Breakfast with Lolo", as the title implies, is a grandson's unique breakfast experience with his "lolo" (grandfather). His grandfather is not allowed to eat pancake because it is bad for his health. The grandfather then asked his grandson out to eat pancakes. The grandson does the driving and the grandfather pays for everything.
For what it was, "Breakfast with Lolo" was really entertaining, sweet and touching. It is hard not to fall in love with it, or be connected with the story. The ending was light, even though the grandfather eventually died. It was touching because of the honest, heartfelt and sincere bond between grandfather and grandson. But I could not shake off the feeling that at times I felt that it was a commercial for "Pancake House" or something. At times I felt that the logo of a restaurant will just pop or something. But then again, all were compensated with how personal and heartfelt it was, and I can not deny the fact that I was touched. B-
Dalaw
Directed by Janus Victoria
Short Film
"Dalaw" is a story of a young woman's return to the house of her grandmother only to discover how their lives, though from different generations, feel somewhat similar.
Quite frankly, I got lost with it. I never really knew where it took me, I hardly felt where it was taking me. I got lost with what is being said and what is happening. But then, I loudly felt the loneliness, not only through the visuals and the acting, but with the story as a whole. C
Despedida
Directed by Borgy Torre
Short Film
"Despedida" is about a guy, Michael, stuck to taking care of his dying parents. In an alone time in a cemetery he meets the girl of his dreams. Love stricken, he was faced with a choice to whether follow his emotions or not.
"Despedida" was really intriguing for me, but I can not shake the feeling that I already know the story. Back when I was in college, someone told me a story that was like what the story of "Dalaw" that halfway through the movie, I kinda knew already what is happening and what is going to happen. The reveal was rather weak for me. But it was really well made, I can not deny that. C+
Faculty
Directed by Jerrold Tarog
Short Film
"Faculty" was about the feuding point of views of two teachers, one an activist, one a sort of traditional teacher.
I fell madly in awe with how expertly well this short story was written and made. It makes me envious, and I wanted so much to someday make a short story that is as good as this. I have already seen this short, a month ago and several times already in Facebook and in Youtube. I loved it then, I still love it now. A-
After the shorts, I went out to eat first. The night is young and I am yet t0 attend two more screenings. After eating, we (with my sister) decided to see another gala screening, we saw "Limbunan".
Me with Limbunan actress Tetchie Agbayani
Limbunan
Gutierrez Mangansakan II
New Breed
Limbunan is a quiet and serene story about a custom in Mindanao (south of the Philippines) called Limbunan. It is where a young lady is bethrothed to marry someone she does not know and she is barred and devoid from meeting other people. But due to the influences of the modern times, the emotion within the young woman was torn between her love for her family or be with the man he loves.
Limbunan was another eye candy movie for me. It was really gorgeous to look at. I was once again, envious because I do not have the camera that they have. Dammit. Like what the director said, it was showing how peaceful it was in Mindanao, contrary to what is being said now in the news. It truly was serene and it honestly depicted what was happening there at that time.
I can only think of a few downsides of the movie for me. First, at times, the acting was wooden. Especially the acting of the kids, well, even the acting of the grown ups. In serene moments, they were all good, but with dialogue. it gets wooden. But kudos to Joem Bascon, who I think was the most natural in the cast.
Other than those, I kinda liked the movie. It was good. B
----------
The next movie I saw was Joel Lamangan's Director's showcase entry "Sigwa". Before that, I went to Joel Lamangan and have him sign my "Deathrow" DVD. He was shocked and said "My God! You have Deathrow?". As a tradition, whenever I go to Cinemalaya, I bring my DVDs along so that I can have them signed. It makes me happy to see my DVDs signed, for me, the price of the item is heightened.
----------
Sigwa
Joel Lamangan
Director's Showcase
"Joel Lamangan" follows several stories of a group of student activists, stories about their past and present. The stories were driven by Dolly, born and raised in America, went to Manila as media, became and activist, fell in love, captured and was sent back to America and went back again, several decades later to look for her child.
Compared to some of Joel Lamangan's recent works, the movie was OK. But compared to his bests, the movie was troublesome. The whole movie for me felt like an extended episode of a prime Filipino soap opera "Maalaala mo Kaya", a really well made episode. It was very well acted, the story was interesting and topical. But then I can not get over the feeling that it is tad soap opera ish. But it was entertaining, nevertheless. C
Cinemalaya Day 2 Recap
Best New Breed: Limbunan (Duh, I have only seen one)
Best Director's Showcase: Sigwa (Duh again, I have only seen one)
Best Short: Faculty
